The oldest surviving Bulleid Pacific was withdrawn from service on the Watercress Line on the 6th March 2016. No 34007 Wadebridge now requires a full overhaul before she can run again. She will also need her original tender restored, as the tender she uses will be returned to 35005 Canadian Pacific (albeit with a new tank).
34007 was not rebuilt and therefore is a distinctive looking locomotive. The air smoothed casing that gives the type’s “spam can” nickname was supposed to aid cleaning. The idea was that it could use rolling stock washing facilities, although there is no evidence to suggest that this happened!
Wadebridge’s withdrawal leaves us with two unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific’s in service – 34067 Tangmere (mainline certified) and 34092 City of Wells (usually based on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, although currently stuck on the East Lancashire Railway due to weight restrictions on a bridge at Keighley).
34007 had become a familiar site on the Mid Hants Railway and will be missed by many. Below is a picture slideshow of Wadebridge, with photographs taken over the past few years.
Loco Yard 